Tom Aspinall's UFC 321 Eye Poke: What Happened and What's Next?

A Controversial Finish

Tom Aspinall's recent UFC 321 match ended in a no-contest after he was poked in the eye. The incident occurred during the heavyweight title fight against Ciryl Gane, leaving many to question whether Aspinall could have continued fighting.

Aspinall claimed he couldn't see after the poke, prompting the referee to stop the fight.

Veteran Opinions

UFC veterans Chael Sonnen and Anthony Smith shared their thoughts on the situation.

• Chael Sonnen argued that fighting with one eye is common in the sport. He suggested Aspinall might have been looking for a way out of a tough fight.
• Anthony Smith, who has experienced similar situations, emphasized that fighters must be clear about wanting to continue if they can still see. He also noted that the narrative might shift to suggest Aspinall was struggling and looking for an exit.

The First Round: A Tough Start

The first round was intense, with Gane landing solid punches and even busting Aspinall's nose. This raised questions about how Aspinall would handle a tougher fight than expected.

Sonnen wondered if Aspinall was used to quick finishes and struggled when the fight went longer.

Debate on the Severity of the Eye Poke

There was some debate about how severe the eye poke was. Sonnen felt that Aspinall might have been able to continue, even with a compromised eye. He noted that fighters often push through injuries in the heat of a match.

Conclusion: A Tough Decision

The incident has sparked a lot of discussion. While Aspinall might face criticism, it's important to remember that fighting with an eye injury is no easy task. The sport is full of tough decisions, and this was just one of them.